I'm using a Hornady L&L press with a case activated powder drop and when I am loading up .223 rounds the case seems to catch on something while going up into the powder drop sleeve. I've adjusted everything there is and no matter what I do it still does it. It's not jamming up but just catching something slightly as it goes up. Just to make sure it was the powder drop I removed the other dies. This does not happen with any of my pistol loads. Is this something normal or is there maybe something wrong inside the powder drop?
Powder drop Catching
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Lapua40X
California Hunter Education Instructor
Any evidence on the rim of the case neck that it's contacting something in the path?
If youtake a fully resized case (like one that you might typically run through that phase of the reloading process) and coat it with Dykem
http://www.grainger.com/product/DYKEM-Blue-Layout-Fluid-2C945
(usually available at your local auto parts store)
then run it through the loader you should see where the dye is disturbed. That should tell you whether it's in the tube or some other part of the mechanism.
If youtake a fully resized case (like one that you might typically run through that phase of the reloading process) and coat it with Dykem
http://www.grainger.com/product/DYKEM-Blue-Layout-Fluid-2C945
(usually available at your local auto parts store)
then run it through the loader you should see where the dye is disturbed. That should tell you whether it's in the tube or some other part of the mechanism.
As a matter of fact, this just started happening. I've sized/trimmed all my brass so that's not the case so it must be something in the powder drop. I'm going to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. It has never done this before. Oh, I might mention that it doesn't get that resistance when it's all the up, it will start to catch about midway up into the powder drop. Also I was thinking maybe the powder is jamming up the drop tube since it's IMR 4064.
Here's a pic of the case neck showing how it's getting smashed.
Here's a pic of the case neck showing how it's getting smashed.
FYI for Hornady L&L presses with the case activated powder drop.
Just talked to Hornady and sure enough it is the 4064 powder causing the problem. They do sell a Extruded Powder Sleeve part #392699 that will keep it from damaging the case but you will still have it snag on the powder sometimes.
Just talked to Hornady and sure enough it is the 4064 powder causing the problem. They do sell a Extruded Powder Sleeve part #392699 that will keep it from damaging the case but you will still have it snag on the powder sometimes.
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